Foeniculum vulgare

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Foeniculum vulgare
Light:Full Sun
Moisture:Xeric Mesic
Hardiness:5
Soil pH:5.6-8.4
Evergreen Self Pollinated
Height:5'
Width:3'
Blooms:Late Summer-Mid Fall
Meadows
Native to:
Shelter
Edible Rating:PFAF Edibility RatingPFAF Edibility RatingPFAF Edibility RatingPFAF Edibility RatingPFAF Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating:PFAF Medicinal RatingPFAF Medicinal RatingPFAF Medicinal RatingPFAF Medicinal RatingPFAF Medicinal Rating
Tea:Yes
Poisonous

Foeniculum vulgare (common name: fennel)

Propagation: Seed - best sown in early spring in situ[1]. The seed can also be sown in situ in the autumn[2][3]. In many gardens it self sows freely.

Division in March as the new growth appears[4][5]. The plants are very tolerant of disturbance, we have found divisions to take well at any time of the year, though these divisions are never as good as seed-sown plants[K].

Cultivation: An easily grown plant, it succeeds in most soils but prefers a sunny dry position[2][4][3][5]. It grows well in sandy soils[6] and is drought tolerant once established[7]. Plants often self-sow freely in the garden[K]. Plants can be grown in quite coarse grass, which can be cut annually in the autumn[8].

Although hardy in most parts of Britain, plants are liable to die out over the winter if the soil is not well-drained or the weather is persistently cold and wet[9].

Fennel is often cultivated in the herb garden for its edible and medicinal uses, there are some named varieties[10]. Especially in mild winters, the leaves can be available all year round[K]. It is best to cut a few plants back to ground level occasionally during the growing season, thus ensuring a constant supply of fresh young shoots[2]. In a dry summer make sure that you water the cut-down clump or it might not regrow that year[K]. Fennel is also grown commercially as a medicinal plant and for its essential oil[2][9].

Fennel is in general a poor companion plant in the garden. It inhibits the growth of nearby plants, especially beans, tomatoes and kohl rabi[11][12]. It is itself inhibited by wormwood and coriander[11][12]. However, the flowering plant attracts beneficial insects such as bees, parasitic wasps, tachinid flies and hoverflies to the garden. The presence of these creatures will help to maintain a natural balance of insects in the garden and help prevent infestations by aphis etc[9].

It is best not to grow fennel and dill (Anethum graveolens) close to each other since hybridisation can occur and the resulting seedlings will be of indeterminate flavour[9].

Range: S. Europe. Naturalized in Britain.

Habitat: Found most often in dry stony calcareous soils near the sea[1][4][7].

Edibility: Leaves - raw or cooked[13][2][14][15][16]. A delicious aniseed flavour[10], the young leaves are best since older ones soon become tough[K]. They are often used as a garnish on raw or cooked dishes and make a very pleasant addition to salads[10]. They help to improve digestion and so are particularly useful with oily foods[17]. The leaves are difficult to store dried[5], though this does not really matter since they can often be harvested all year round, especially if the plants are in a warm, sheltered position[K].

Leaf stalks and flower heads - raw or cooked[11][3][18][10]. A similar aniseed flavour to the leaves[K].

The aromatic seeds are used as a flavouring in cakes, bread, stuffings etc[13][2][14][19][16][10]. They have a similar flavour to the leaves[K] and also improve the digestion[17]. The sprouted seeds can be added to salads[10].

An essential oil from the fully ripened and dried seed is used as a food flavouring in similar ways to the whole seed[1][20][10][21].

Root - cooked[22]. Somewhat parsnip-like.

The leaves or the seeds can be used to make a pleasant-tasting herbal tea[4][10].

Medicinal: Fennel has a long history of herbal use and is a commonly used household remedy, being useful in the treatment of a variety of complaints, especially those of the digestive system[17]. The seeds, leaves and roots can be used, but the seeds are most active medicinally and are the part normally used[2]. An essential oil is often extracted from the fully ripened and dried seed for medicinal use, though it should not be given to pregnant women[2][9].

The plant is analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, aromatic, carminative, diuretic, emmenagogue, expectorant, galactogogue, hallucinogenic, laxative, stimulant and stomachic[2][23][15][19][24][25][26][27][9]. An infusion is used in the treatment of indigestion, abdominal distension, stomach pains etc[28]. It helps in the treatment of kidney stones and, when combined with a urinary disinfectant like Arctostaphylos uva-ursi, makes an effective treatment for cystitis[28]. It can also be used as a gargle for sore throats and as an eyewash for sore eyes and conjunctivitis[28]. Fennel is often added to purgatives in order to allay their tendency to cause gripe, and also to improve the flavour[2]. An infusion of the seeds is a safe and effective cure for wind in babies[17].

An infusion of the root is used to treat urinary disorders[9].

An essential oil obtained from the seed is used in aromatherapy. Its keyword is 'Normalising'[29]. The essential oil is bactericidal, carminative and stimulant[30]. Some caution is advised, see notes above on toxicity[31].

Usage: The seed yields up to 5% of an essential oil[1][2][20]. This is used medicinally, as a food flavouring, in toothpastes, soaps, perfumery, air fresheners etc[1][20][9]. The flavour of fennel oil depends upon its two main constituents. 'Fenchone' is a bitter tasting element whilst 'anethole' has a sweet anise-like flavour[9]. The proportions of these two ingredients varies according to strain and region. Plants growing in the Mediterranean and southern Europe usually have a sweet oil whilst plants growing in central and northern Europe usually produce a more bitter oil[9]. The quality of the oil also depends upon how well the seed has been dried - the oil from fully ripened and dried seeds being much sweeter and more fragrant[21].

The dried plant is an insect repellent[11][22], the crushed leaves are effective for keeping dogs free of fleas[32]. The plant was formerly used as a strewing herb[32].

Yellow and brown dyes are obtained from the flowers and leaves combined[33].

Pollinators: Insects

Notes: Excellent companion plant for the flower garden, it will bring in lots of beneficial insects.

Easily obtained from seed.

Soil: Can grow in light, medium, and heavy soils.

Drainage: Prefers well drained soil.

Wind: Tolerates strong winds

In Leaf: Evergreen

Seed Ripens: Early Fall-Mid Fall

Flower Type: Hermaphrodite

Known Hazards: Skin contact with the sap or essential oil is said to cause photo-sensitivity and/or dermatitis in some people[30][31]. Ingestion of the oil can cause vomiting, seizures and pulmonary oedema[31].

Also Known As: F. officinale.

Links

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 Chittendon, Fred. RHS Dictionary of Plants. Oxford University Press, 1951.
  2. ↑ 2.00 2.01 2.02 2.03 2.04 2.05 2.06 2.07 2.08 2.09 2.10 Grieve, Margaret. A Modern Herbal. Penguin, 1984.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Thompson, Robert. The Gardener's Assistant. Blackie and Son, 1878.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 Simons, Arthur. New Vegetable Growers Handbook. Penguin, 1977.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Huxley, Anthony. The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening. MacMillan Press, 1992.
  6. ↑ Brickell, Christopher. The RHS Gardener's Encyclopedia of Plants and Flowers. Dorling Kindersley Publishers, 1990.
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 Chatto, Beth. The Damp Garden. Dent, 1982.
  8. ↑ Thomas, Graham. Perennial Garden Plants. J. M. Dent & Sons, 1990.
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3 9.4 9.5 9.6 9.7 9.8 9.9 Bown, Deni. Royal Horticultural Society Encyclopaedia of Herbs and Their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, 1995.
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 10.3 10.4 10.5 10.6 10.7 Facciola, Stephen. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications, 1990.
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 11.3 Hylton, Josie and William Holtom. Complete Guide to Herbs. Rodale Press, 1979.
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 Philbrick, Helen and Richard Gregg. Companion Plants. Watkins, 1979.
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 Hedrick, Ulysses. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications, 1972.
  14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 Mabey, Richard. Food for Free. Collins, 1974.
  15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 Launert, Edmund. Edible and Medicinal Plants. Hamlyn, 1981.
  16. ↑ 16.0 16.1 Vilmorin-Andrieux. The Vegetable Garden. Ten Speed Press.
  17. ↑ 17.0 17.1 17.2 17.3 Phillips, Roger. Herbs. Pan Books, 1990.
  18. ↑ Larkcom, Joy. Salads all the Year Round. Hamlyn, 1980.
  19. ↑ 19.0 19.1 Lust, John. The Herb Book. Bantam Books, 1983.
  20. ↑ 20.0 20.1 20.2 Uphof, Johannes. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim, 1959.
  21. ↑ 21.0 21.1 Genders, Roy. Scented Flora of the World. Robert Hale, 1994.
  22. ↑ 22.0 22.1 de Bray, Lys. The Wild Garden.
  23. ↑ Chiej, Roberto. Encyclopaedia of Medicinal Plants. MacDonald, 1984.
  24. ↑ Revolutionary Health Committee of Hunan Province. A Barefoot Doctors Manual. Running Press.
  25. ↑ Mills, Simon. The Dictionary of Modern Herbalism.
  26. ↑ Yeung, Him-Che. Handbook of Chinese Herbs and Formulas. Institute of Chinese Medicine, 1985.
  27. ↑ Emboden, William. Narcotic Plants. Studio Vista, 1979.
  28. ↑ 28.0 28.1 28.2 Chevallier, Andrew. The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants. Dorling Kindersley, 1996.
  29. ↑ Westwood, Christine. Aromatherapy - A Guide for Home Use. Amberwood Publishing, 1993.
  30. ↑ 30.0 30.1 Duke, James and Edward Ayensu. Medicinal Plants of China. Reference Publications, 1985.
  31. ↑ 31.0 31.1 31.2 Foster, Steven and Billy Tatum. Medicinal Plants of Eastern and Central North America. Houghton Mifflin, 1990.
  32. ↑ 32.0 32.1 Allardice, Pamela. A-Z of Companion Planting. Cassell Publishers, 1993.
  33. ↑ Grae, Ida. Nature's Colors. MacMillan Publishing, 1974.


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